List of major ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects in the Nellore region

The Nellore region is indeed a dynamic hub of development, with a blend of public infrastructure initiatives and private industrial projects driving its growth. Recent announcements and ongoing works reflect a concerted effort to enhance connectivity, attract investment, and boost employment.

Here’s an updated and expanded overview of the major ongoing and upcoming projects in the Nellore region:

I. Connectivity & Infrastructure Development

1. National Highway (NH) Expansion and Upgradation:
   • 4-Lane Badvel-Nellore Corridor (NH-67): This significant project, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, involves the construction of a 108.134 km 4-lane highway at a cost of approximately ₹3,653.10 crore on a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) mode. The corridor starts from Gopavaram village on NH-67 in YSR Kadapa District and terminates at the Krishnapatnam Port Junction on NH-16 (Chennai-Kolkata) in SPSR Nellore District. It is crucial for connecting industrial nodes in the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC), Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (HBIC), and Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) to Krishnapatnam Port, significantly reducing travel distance and time. This project is expected to generate substantial direct and indirect employment. [1, 2]
   • NH-16 (Chennai-Kolkata Corridor) Upgradation: While specific recent announcements for large-scale new sections within Nellore are limited, continuous upgradation and maintenance works are undertaken on this vital artery that passes through the district, facilitating seamless freight and passenger movement.
2. Krishnapatnam Port Development:
   • Now fully owned by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), Krishnapatnam Port continues to be a focal point for development. Ongoing expansion includes enhancing container handling capacity, improving berth facilities, and strengthening rail and road evacuation networks. The long-term vision aims to increase its overall cargo throughput and consolidate its position as a premier gateway port on the east coast, leveraging its deep draft and strategic location. While major acquisition news is from 2021, the operational enhancements are continuous. [3, 4]
3. Ramayapatnam Port (Near Nellore):
   • The Ramayapatnam Port is a crucial upcoming project with direct and significant economic implications for the Nellore region, especially its northern parts. The port’s construction is reportedly over 80% complete, and the State government is actively planning to establish a Mega Industrial Hub nearby. This hub aims to attract a major influx of foreign industries, including potential interests from Hindustan Petroleum, Indo-Solar Sobar, Johnson, and JSW Ltd, creating numerous job opportunities and bolstering the local economy. APIIC is working on land acquisition for this hub in villages like Ramayapatnam-Chennayapalem, Anemadugu, and Tummalapenta in the Kavali mandal of Nellore district. [13]
4. Dagadarthi Airport:
   • The proposed greenfield airport at Dagadarthi in Nellore district is being fast-tracked. The government has identified approximately 1,379 acres of land, and efforts are underway to complete the remaining land acquisition. This airport, with a planned capacity of 2 million passengers and 55,000 tonnes of cargo annually, is crucial for improving air connectivity, especially given the industrial growth around Krishnapatnam Port and the upcoming Ramayapatnam Port. The project was initially approved in 2016 but faced delays; however, the current government is keen to expedite its development within three years. [5, 6]
5. Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs):
   • While the Eastern DFC doesn’t directly run through Nellore, the proposed East Coast Dedicated Freight Corridor (Kharagpur to Vijayawada) is under examination for Detailed Project Report (DPR). If realized, this corridor will pass through the coastal belt, potentially impacting freight logistics and industrial development in the Nellore region by providing a dedicated and efficient rail network for cargo movement. [7]

II. Industrial & Economic Projects

1. Mega and Large Industrial Projects Under Implementation:
   • The Nellore district currently hosts 9 mega industries with an investment of over ₹37,670 crore, providing employment to nearly 13,600 people. These include thermal power generation, port operations, manufacturing of steel, glass, automobile parts, footwear, edible oil, and aluminum products.
   • There are 33 Large Industries working in the district with an investment of Rs.30,79.08 Cr. providing employment to 5,457 persons. Prominent activities are Mfg. of Vegetable Oils, Shrimp feed, Processed Shrimp / Prawn / Fish, Metal Products, Bulk Drugs, Pharmaceuticals, Solar and Wind Power etc.,
   • There are 18,167 Micro, Small & Medium enterprises registered in the district with an investment of Rs. 20,269.47 Cr. providing employment to 1,93,994 persons.
   • Currently, 10 additional large and mega projects are under active implementation, with a proposed investment of approximately ₹37,625 crore and projected employment for over 13,800 persons. This indicates a robust pipeline of industrial growth. [8]
2. Industrial Parks and SEZs:
   • The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) has developed 11 Industrial Parks in Nellore district across 3,000 acres, with another 3,500 acres available. Key industrial areas include APIE Nellore, Auto Nagar Nellore, Wood Complex Nellore, APIIC Industrial Park, Naidupeta, and Krishnapatnam Industrial Area.
   • Noteworthy SEZs attracting private investment include Apache SEZ (footwear), Mas Fabric Park (textile and apparel), Bhartiya International SEZ (leather), IFFCO SEZ (multi-product), and Krishnapatnam Infratech Pvt. Ltd. (multi-product).
   • New MSME clusters are planned at Dagadarthi (Kavali mandal), Bodduvaripalem (Kovur mandal), and Amancharla (Nellore Rural mandal) across approximately 150 acres, providing infrastructural support for small and medium enterprises. [9, 10, 14]
   • Recently, APIIC has initiated tenders for the construction of a Flatted Factory Complex Building at Bhagat Singh Colony, Nellore, indicating efforts to provide modern infrastructure for manufacturing units. [11]
   • There is ongoing land acquisition for the establishment of an Industrial Hub in Ulavapadu Mandal, Karedu Village, Nellore District, indicating further expansion of industrial zones. [12]

III. Public Utility & Social Infrastructure

1. Water Supply and Sanitation Projects:
   • The Jal Jeevan Mission continues its objective of providing Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024. Nellore district is actively participating in this nationwide initiative. [15]
   • A significant multi-crore drinking water supply project for rural homes in Nellore and Tirupati districts is proposed, sourcing surface water from Somasila and Kandaleru reservoirs, with an estimated budget of ₹8,398 crore, aimed at ensuring long-term water security. [16]
   • Nellore Municipal Corporation has seen substantial investment in an augmented drinking water supply scheme and an underground drainage project, designed to meet the region’s water and sanitation needs for the next three decades. [17]
2. Power Infrastructure Enhancement:
   • The 765 kV double circuit transmission line from Nellore to Kurnool, completed by Tata Projects, is a vital part of connecting the South India Grid to the national grid, ensuring stable and efficient power supply. [18]
   • Plans for a Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Plant in the Nellore Cluster are moving forward, with tenders recently released by NREDCAP. This project aims to scientifically manage municipal solid waste and generate renewable energy, with an initial capacity of 4MW and proposals for enhancement to 5MW. [19]
3. Housing Projects:
   • A Demonstration Housing Project has been undertaken in Nellore, at Saraswathi Nagar, Chowtapalem Village, Venkatachalam Mandal, where 36 demonstration houses and a community building were constructed using innovative Glass Fibre Reinforced Gypsum Panel (GFRG) technology. This project included onsite infrastructure like internal CC roads, water tanks, septic tanks, and LED street lights. [20]

Impact and Conclusion:

The Nellore region is undergoing a comprehensive transformation driven by these public and private investments. The enhanced connectivity via national highways and the development of new ports and an airport will significantly improve logistics and accessibility. The influx of mega and large industrial projects, coupled with the establishment of new industrial parks and SEZs, is poised to create substantial employment opportunities and boost the local economy. Furthermore, improved water supply, sanitation, and power infrastructure are critical for supporting this growth and enhancing the quality of life for Nelloreans. These integrated developments underline Nellore’s growing prominence as a key economic and industrial hub in Andhra Pradesh.

Citations:

1. “Cabinet approves Development of 4-Lane Badvel- Nellore Highway from Badvel- Gopavaram Village on National Highway NH-67 to Guruvindapudi on NH-16 in Andhra Pradesh on Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) mode.” Press Information Bureau, Government of India. (May 28, 2025). https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2131996
2. “Union Cabinet approves Badvel-Nellore Corridor in Andhra Pradesh.” The New Indian Express. (May 29, 2025). https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2025/May/29/union-cabinet-approves-badvel-nellore-corridor-in-andhra-pradesh
3. “Adani increases ownership in Krishnapatnam Port to 100% for ₹2,800 cr.” ITLN. (April 5, 2021). https://www.itln.in/tags/krishnapatnam-port
4. “Development of Phase-II at Krishnapatnam Port, Potti Sriramulu Nellore Dist UPDATED FORM 1 September 2015.” Environmental Clearance document. https://environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/modification/previousTOR/0_0_23092015M8WTJAnnexure-UpdatedForm1.pdf
5. “Nellore District’s New Airport Project: Fast-Tracked by Government Plans.” Times of India. (October 28, 2024). https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/nellore-districts-new-airport-project-fast-tracked-by-government-plans/articleshow/114702267.cms
6. “Nellore (Dagadarthi) Airport New Airport Profile.” CAPA – Centre for Aviation. https://centreforaviation.com/data/profiles/newairports/nellore-dagadarthi-airport
7. “Ministry of Railways Advances Infrastructure with Dedicated Freight Corridors, Modernization Initiatives, and Enhanced Freight Capacity.” Press Information Bureau, Government of India. (March 25, 2025). https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2112843
8. “DISTRICT INDUSTRIES CENTRE | Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore District, Government of Andhra Pradesh.” https://spsnellore.ap.gov.in/district-industries-centre/
9. “Industrial Parks and SEZs in the Nellore Region: Catalysts for Economic Growth – 1nellore.com.” https://1nellore.com/industrial-parks-and-sezs-in-the-nellore-region-catalysts-for-economic-growth/
10. “Industrial Parks – APIIC.” https://apiic.in/industrial-parks/
11. “LIST OF APIIC LIVE TENDERS.” APIIC. (May 16, 2025). https://apiic.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AP_eProc_Live_Tenders-1.pdf
12. “Announcements | Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore District, Government of Andhra Pradesh.” (Land Acquisition Notices, June 19, 2025). https://spsnellore.ap.gov.in/notice_category/announcements/
13. “Mega industrial hub to come up near Ramayapatnam Port for economic growth.” The New Indian Express. (November 9, 2024). https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2024/Nov/09/mega-industrial-hub-to-come-up-near-ramayapatnam-port-for-economic-growth
14. “MSME clusters planned in Nellore.” Maritime Gateway. (February 10, 2021). https://www.maritimegateway.com/msme-clusters-planned-in-nellore/
15. “RURAL WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION | Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore District, Government of Andhra Pradesh.” https://spsnellore.ap.gov.in/rural-water-supply-and-sanitation/
16. “Each Rural Home in Nellore, Tirupati Districts To Get Clean Tap Water.” Deccan Chronicle. (June 27, 2025). https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/andhra-pradesh/each-rural-home-in-nellore-tirupati-districts-to-get-clean-tap-water-1881091
17. “Multi-crore water scheme a major fillip for Nellore.” The Hindu. (February 18, 2018). https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/multi-crore-water-scheme-a-major-fillip-for-nellore/article22786173.ece
18. “Nellore Kurnool Power projects – Tataprojects.com.” https://tataprojects.com/projects/nellore-kurnool-power-project
19. “NREDCAP: Tender for “Establishment of Waste to Energy (WtE) Plant in Nellore Cluster”, Andhra Pradesh.” Omnicore. (March 12, 2025). https://omnicoreplus.com/post/nredcap-tender-for-establishment-of-waste-to-energy-wte-plant-in-nellore-cluster-andhra-pradesh/
20. “Welcome to GHTC-INDIA – DHP NELLORE.” Global Housing Technology Challenge-India. https://www.ghtc-india.gov.in/Content/DHP-Nellore.html

Disclosure: This article has been written and edited with help from Google Gemini.